INDIANAPOLIS – The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana’s inaugural year, in 1953, began with 70 civil libertarians from the Indianapolis area attempting, unsuccessfully, to secure a meeting place at the Indiana War Memorial. Today, the ACLU of Indiana has grown to more than 4,500 members and donors statewide. We are pleased to announce our 2013 slate of officers, new board and staff effective Jan. 1.

“We are thrilled that so many talented individuals have chosen to give their energy and expertise to the ACLU of Indiana,” said Jane Henegar, executive director. “We stand on the shoulders of many individuals dedicated to the freedoms we share as Americans who sustained this organization. Sixty years later, we continue to build and strengthen the ACLU of Indiana, which all Hoosiers can depend upon to protect their constitutional rights.”

Alice Bennett, the incoming president of the ACLU of Indiana, said, “I am excited to have the opportunity to work with board members representing many areas in the state of Indiana. Together with our outstanding staff we will help ACLU of Indiana to continue to grow and to protect the civil liberties of all Hoosiers.”

Natalie K. Hall joins the organization as Development Director. The Aurora, Ind. native is a 2008 graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, and in 2012 she obtained a certificate from The Fundraising School at the Center for Philanthropy in Indianapolis. Hall previously worked at The Kinsey Institute at IU and Planned Parenthood of Indiana, where, among many responsibilities, she developed fundraising infrastructure, managed grant processes for philanthropic foundations and developed strategies for solicitation of major gifts.

ACLU of Indiana, Inc. Board of DirectorsThe following individuals have been elected or appointed:

About the ACLU of IndianaMission: The ACLU of Indiana is dedicated to defending individual rights and enhancing and preserving liberties that are grounded in the United States and Indiana constitutions and civil rights laws.

The Indiana organization is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and is nonprofit, nonpartisan and does not endorse political candidates.

In 1953, after being denied a meeting space by the Indiana War Memorials Commission, the ACLU of Indiana (then known as the Indiana Civil Liberties Union or ICLU) held its first meeting at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis. The ICLU continued to seek approval to meet in the War Memorial through political means, yet was repeatedly denied, despite receiving overwhelming public support. The ICLU brought a lawsuit against the State, and won its case in the Indiana Supreme Court on Feb. 1, 1973.Click here to read more about the ACLU of Indiana’s history.[4]Click here to access copies of the original court documents.[5]

Membership dues to the ACLU of Indiana, a 501(c)4 organization, are not tax deductible. ACLU of Indiana memberships automatically include membership to the National ACLU, and can be done using a credit card through our secure website at JOIN[6]. Charitable contributions to the ACLU of Indiana Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, are tax deductible to the full extent of the law, and may be made using a credit card through our secure website at DONATE[7]. For more information about the ACLU of Indiana, please contact (317) 635-4059 or visit www.aclu-in.org[8].